The kooky Icelandic elf makes a strong case for nature being a rockstar

Björk: Biophilia Live

We’d never go so far as to say that Björk isn’t whimsical, but don’t make the mistake of dismissing her work, particularly Biophilia, as mere kooky elf ramblings. Showing a refreshing lack of “the world revolves around me” mentality for an artist of her standing – she’s practically a saint in Iceland – Björk decided when making her eighth album that “Nature is a rock star” and set about proving it. The accompanying purpose-built instruments and tour design bolster that mission of making nature the star: a giant Tesla coil plays the bassline of “Thunderbolt”; a set of gravity-driven pendulum harps translate the movements of the Earth into melody on “Solstice.” Directors Nick Fenton and Peter Strickland capture the intricate goings-on of the stage show and intersperse film of natural phenomena – crystals grow, mushrooms fruit, lava bubbles, cells divide, all mirroring the tiny, woolly-wigged force of nature crooning at the center of it all.